ACC Sets Asia Cup 2025 Schedule: India‑Pakistan Clash Set for Dubai on Sept 14

When Asian Cricket Council unveiled the schedule on August 2, 2025, cricket fans got a clear picture of where the Asia Cup 2025 will unfold.

The headline venue is the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, nestled in Dubai Sports City, capable of holding 25,000 spectators under its signature “Ring of Fire” floodlights. The secondary hub is the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Both venues will host the 17th edition of the tournament from September 9 to September 28.

Here’s the thing: the tournament adopts the T20 International format and features eight nations split into two groups. Group A contains India, Pakistan, United Arab Emirates (the host nation) and Oman. Group B sees Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Hong Kong and Sri Lanka battling for the two Super Four spots.

Below is a quick snapshot of the key facts:

• 19 matches in total – 11 at Dubai, 8 at Abu Dhabi.
• All knockout games (semi‑finals and final) will be played at the Dubai venue.
• India are the defending champions, boasting eight Asia Cup titles.
• All evening fixtures start at 6:30 PM UAE time, except the day‑game (UAE vs Oman) on Sept 15 at 4:00 PM.
• The tournament serves as a dress‑rehearsal for the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.

Venue Details and Pitch Profile

Dubai International Cricket Stadium is famed for its "Ring of Fire" lighting system, which was first installed for the 2014 IPL final. The surface is described by groundsmen as "balanced for both batters and bowlers, with a subtle turn for spinners in the middle overs." Kuldeep Yadav, India’s left‑arm pacer, told reporters, "The pitch here lets the ball come onto the bat nicely, but you can’t ignore the turn on day two." The Abu Dhabi ground, by contrast, has a slightly slower outfield, favouring big hitters in the death overs.

Group Stage & Fixture Overview

The opening match rips open on Sept 9 in Abu Dhabi, with Afghanistan taking on Hong Kong. From there, the schedule weaves through back‑to‑back evenings, ensuring fans get a steady stream of action. The only daytime encounter lands on Sept 15, when host UAE meets Oman at 4:00 PM. The ACC’s format guarantees that the top two sides from each group progress to the Super Four, where they carry over points earned against the other qualifier from their group. That means a win against Pakistan could be worth double the pressure for India in the next round.

India‑Pakistan Showdown: The Main Event

But wait – the real buzz surrounds the India‑Pakistan clash slated for Sept 14 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Historically, these encounters generate TV ratings that eclipse the World Cup final in the sub‑continent. The ACC estimates a global audience of roughly 600 million viewers for this single match.

Projected line‑ups hint at a fireworks display: India’s young explosive opener Abhishek Sharma is expected to fire away, while Pakistan will lean on the power‑hitting of Mohammad Haris, who logged 66 runs off 43 balls in the 2024 Asia Cup.

If both sides sail through Group A, the Super Four could host a second India‑Pakistan encounter at the same Dubai venue. And should they both win their semi‑finals, a third showdown would crown the champion – a scenario that hasn’t happened since the 2018 edition in the UAE.

Impact and Preparation for the 2026 T20 World Cup

These matches are more than just bragging rights; they double as a litmus test for squads ahead of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, which will be co‑hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Coaches say the fast‑turning pitches in the UAE provide a useful middle‑ground between the slower sub‑continental tracks and the quicker Australian surfaces. "We want to see how our spinner ‑ especially the wrist‑spinners‑‑ adapt to a pitch that offers some assistance without being overly dramatic," said Rashid Khan, Afghanistan’s captain, after a practice session in Abu Dhabi. The tournament also offers a commercial windfall for the UAE, which expects a boost of $12 million in tourism and hospitality revenue, according to the Dubai Department of Tourism.

Broadcast, Fan Engagement and What’s Next

For viewers in the Emirates, live action will air on CricLife (linear TV) and stream via StarzPlay. The matches are also available on CricLife MAX through eLife TV and Switch TV, ensuring fans can watch on mobile devices. Social media buzz is already humming. A teaser video from Sports Today showed a countdown clock over the “Ring of Fire” and the caption, “India vs Pakistan – September 14 – be there or be square.” Looking ahead, the ACC said it will announce the Super Four schedule by early October, with the final slated for Sept 28 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. If the traditional rivalry lives up to expectations, we could be witnessing one of the most-watched cricket spectacles of the decade.